How Hand Soap Compares to Hand Sanitizer

When you need to clean your hands, there are two common choices people flock to: hand sanitizer and hand soap. Both are effective at killing germs, but which one is better?

Hand sanitizer typically 'zaps' your hand surface with an alcoholic solution mixed with water, which disintegrates bacteria residing on your hand. The only problem is that it leaves behind a residue of dead bacteria on your hands afterward.

Hand soap kills bacterias just like hand sanitizer does, but you also wash away the dead bacteria remnants with water afterward. Hand soap also cuts grease and remove contaminants from the skin in addition to killing bacteria, so it's a no brainer.

Hand soap is the superior choice by far, so you should opt to use it whenever possible. On the contrary, sometimes you don't have access to running water, so hand sanitizer provides an easy way to sterilize your hands on the go.